I am sure many of my fellow Angelinos would consider this topic taboo; as many “urban art” installations wind up looking like all the other random graffiti covering walls and buildings of our fair city.

However you have to admit though, there are some really amazing artists that color our commute with their inspiring pieces. If nothing more, they make you take a second look…

Installation by El Mac

Triangulation in Echo Park by artist Kofie

With a little research, I am proud to say I can now name a few of the artists who have peppered my route to work with installations like these:

Bob Marley/Lion Mural by El Mac

“The Mask” pasteup by ABCNT

“The Chief” pasteup by ABCNT

Every time I drive by one of artist Paul Lumberg’s happy elephants or friendly bears, they make me smile.

Artists El Mac, Retna and Kofie team up on this mural called “Lady Justice”

There are a few more great murals in Silverlake, Hollywood and Echo Park that I couldn’t find online, so the next time I leave the house I am packing my camera, as they need to be shared with the world.

Some of the work we see everyday on our streets and buildings is just silly, random, self expression, but some of it is also politically charged, thoughtful and a really beautiful product of some talented individuals. The great thing is, that these works aren’t just limited to Los Angeles, but are international! Personally, the next time I am in Milan, I am looking for this one:

Another stunner by El Mac

Just hauntingly beautiful…no? This last one has inspired me to post my collection of door photos and graffiti art from my travels to Italy, to save for another blog entry…I guess grandma Lola was right, “a little information is a dangerous thing”.

As a designer (and admirer of creativity in general), I was really inspired to discover yet another brilliant artist I had never fully explored. Ruth Asawa, a California native of Japanese descent, is the artist behind some of the most interesting ethereal sculptures I have ever seen.

Photo by Laurence Cuneo

Asawa actually hand made these enormous sculptures entirely of wire, utilizing techniques used for crocheting baskets that she learned in Mexico. One of the most admirable things about her talent, is that it was borne out of a lifetime spent overcoming adversity. Asawa lived through Japanese internment camps, and the societal difficulties of pursuing an interracial marriage in the 1940’s. Despite her challenges, she emerged a creative and positive force. Asawa pursued her exploration of this crochet technique, typically working on these stunning pieces while her six children slept (who says you can’t have it all?); later going on to be commissioned to do several public works pieces, and becoming a fierce advocate for art in schools.

(And I thought I could get crazy with a crochet hook)

Personally, I plan to take a tip from Asawa, and make the time to keep following my passions. I mean…just take a look at what can come of them…

Ok, so I know I am not the only one who was wondering who was behind Lanvin’s stunning Fall 08 jewelry collection; after a little hunting, I discovered it is the amazing work of the house’s collaboration with the designer/phenom: Lara Bohinc.

She has been the creative force behind some of the most beautiful and unique jewelry pieces for Lanvin (Love), Costume National (love, love) and Gucci (I mean…how could you not love Gucci? Big kiss, Frida!).

Although the pieces are a little heavy (literally, her Lanvin cuff weighs about 3lbs-yes I have worn it, and yes, the glamor was worth every ounce), this is the kind of bling I can really get behind.

Turns out, she has also been churning out some fierce looking bags…

I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next, and I am putting her on my list of people I hope to work with (and inherit items from) You can see more of her collections on her website: http://www.larabohinc.com/start.html